Reflections on the ABIM Foundation Professionalism Article Prize

This year, the ABIM Foundation awarded the second annual Professionalism Article Prizes. Throughout 2011, Foundation staff tracked the medical professionalism literature, which was comprised of over 100 articles. We appreciate the work of the winning authors, along with all the authors who published articles on professionalism this year. The Professionalism Article Prize provides needed recognition of important contributions to the medical professionalism literature.

After an initial review by ABIM Foundation staff, an esteemed selection committee—whose members included a consumer representative, a medical student and several physicians— awarded prizes to three journal articles in the categories of Commentary/Perspective, Medical Education and Training and Professionalism in Practice.

In the category of Professionalism in Practice, the prize was awarded to “Bending the Cost Curve in Cancer Care,” by Thomas J. Smith, MD and Bruce E. Hillner, MD, published in the New England Journal of Medicine. This article was a response to Howard Brody’s challenge for medical societies to develop “Top Five” lists of commonly ordered tests and procedures that might be overused. “This is an article that is a ‘profile in courage,’” said one selection committee member.

Thank you for all your efforts and edification. “First do no harm” is a vow every health care professional needs to uphold. It is both a responsibility and an honor to serve our patients. Patient dignity cannot be compromised. First Do No Harm is the KEY. Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this forum. All the best to you